The Fall’s Mark E Smith dead at 60 – months after cancelling a string of gigs due to ill health

The lead singer of the Manchester post-punk band died at his home today

By Dan Cain

24th January 2018, 8:32 pm

Updated: 24th January 2018, 9:38 pm

By Dan Cain

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MARK E Smith, the lead singer of cult post-punk band The Fall, has died aged 60.

The announcement was made by the Manchester group's manager Pam Vander on Cherry Red Records' website.

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Tweets from a fan account relayed Pam's words, reading: "It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith. He passed this morning at home.... 1/2

"A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam & Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time."

There has been an outpouring of grief from fans of the band online.

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess wrote: "So so sad to hear that we’ve lost Mark E Smith. A true uncompromising musical maverick. A genius, a curmudgeon and someone whose company it was an honour to share. So long M.E.S x x x "

Music video for the Container Drivers by the Mark E Smith and the Fall

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The day I've been dreading.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith. He passed this morning at home.... 1/2

So so sad to hear that we’ve lost Mark E Smith. A true uncompromising musical maverick. A genius, a curmudgeon and someone whose company it was an honour to share. So long M.E.S x x x pic.twitter.com/aZFGNXZuRW

Alas, the great Mark E Smith has passed away. Not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre. Will be blasting the A Sides album all week now. The Fall are no more, long live the Fall! pic.twitter.com/rsxFybINmn

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne said: "Oh man. Mark E Smith. One of my biggest heroes. Had a nightmare interviewing him (of course) but then he put me in a song. So sharp, clever and untouchably cool. Thanks for the music, MES."

Film director Edgar Wright posted: "Alas, the great Mark E Smith has passed away. Not merely a legend of indie music, but someone who, for me, was a gateway into that very genre. Will be blasting the A Sides album all week now. The Fall are no more, long live the Fall!"

While Billy Bragg lamented: "First we lost Ursula Le Guin, then Hugh Masekela, now Mark E Smith. Been a tough week for cultural icons."

Rockers Garbage shared: "Mark E Smith 💔 We will never forget you coming to see us play. Especially when you said watching us play was like watching paint dry. 💔 RIP."

Smith formed the band in 1976 aged 19 and was the only constant member through its various incarnations.

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They were prolific, releasing 32 studio albums over their 41 year career, the latest of which, New Facts Emerge, came last July.

The acerbic singer had been open about his long running health struggles. In his final interview earlier this year, he told The Guardian that being ill was forcing him to listen to a lot of music he didn't like.

He said: "The standard of music these days is f***ing terrible. Being poorly you have to watch s**t like Jools Holland. A lot of it sounds like when I was 15 and I’d go round to a long-haired guy’s flat to score a joint and they’d always put on some f***ing lousy Elton John LP.

"That sounds like Ed Sheeran to me, a duff singer songwriter from the 70’s you find in charity shops."

The band were forced to cancel their US tour last summer because Mark was suffering throat, mouth and respiratory system problems.

Their manager said at the time: “Mark’s current problems are connected to his throat, mouth/dental and respiratory system… so throwing all the meds together and continuing with the travel/shows would certainly harm any progress that we have made over the past few weeks.”

A series of UK gigs were also cancelled before Christmas, with Pamela apologising to fans on Instagram.

She wrote: "I know it's not as last minute as last night, but it's still last minute in my eyes. And I'm really, really sorry. I can't think of much to say today, as all my focus is on Mark. And we are all a bit gutted. It's been a weird year."

Mark was married three times. His first wife was The Fall guitarist Brix Smith, who he wed in 1983, with the couple divorcing six years later in 1989.

He went on to marry Saffron Prior in 1991; divorcing her in 1995, and then Eleni Poulou in 2001.

Last year on his 60th birthday the BBC mistakenly reported Mark had died.